Making good choices is essential to leading a happy and successful life. Still, it isn’t always obvious which decision is the smartest option. Every important choice we make has repercussions, affecting how content and fulfilled we feel, and this article reveals the 19 habits exhibited by people who consistently choose the correct path when faced with a fork in the road.
Self-Awareness
LinkedIn says, “When you are self-aware, you have a better understanding of your own thoughts, feelings, and motivations, which can help you make more informed and deliberate decisions.” Knowing your capabilities, moral boundaries, and weaknesses allows you to make realistic decisions that align with your values and goals.
Critical Thinking
Approaching decision-making rationally, collecting data to support your choices, and analyzing potential outcomes without bias or illusion are key to making calculated decisions. Forbes states that people with good judgment avoid acting on impulse and base their choices on sound reasoning, past events, and trustworthy evidence.
Long-Term Perspective
Although short-term gratification and glory can be tempting, the best decision-makers consider the long-term repercussions of their choices and extrapolate the most likely outcomes to make decisions that they won’t live to regret later on. Mind Tools says that balancing long and short-term benefits is crucial to a successful life.
Calculated Risk-Taking
Most people who make good choices understand that some risk is necessary to advance in life and enjoy it. However, they are often good at calculating risk and avoiding decisions that are too risky, whether financially, professionally, or socially. They tend to be patient and measured, choosing risks most likely to result in success.
Taking Responsibility
Good decision-makers don’t blame others or ignore their own failures—they are often aware of their weaknesses. They will admit to themselves and others when they make an error or fail to accomplish a goal. This responsible approach allows them to learn from their mistakes and improve without shifting blame or denying their role.
Continuous Learning
Being self-aware means knowing when you need extra knowledge, skills, or understanding, and people who make the best decisions are often avid lifetime learners. Learning makes you more independent and significantly increases your ability to make smart, educated decisions that will lead to the most positive outcomes.
Prioritization
Fibery writes, “Prioritization helps you identify what needs to be done first, ensuring that you allocate your resources wisely and deliver results.” Knowing which goal to focus on and when is an important skill and stops smart decision-makers from setting unrealistic goals or being distracted by less important tasks.
Setting Boundaries
It’s hard to make good personal decisions if you constantly let others encroach on your time or mental capacity. People who make good choices establish healthy boundaries in their personal and professional lives, ensuring their needs are met and their integrity isn’t compromised, and giving them the clarity of mind to make informed and positive decisions.
Respecting Other Perspectives
The adage “no man is an island” applies to making all but the most personal of decisions. Listening to and respecting other people’s perspectives and advice is important, even if you don’t ultimately follow their guidance. Smart choosers understand the value of external viewpoints in navigating problems and reducing the effect of personal biases.
Gratitude
Being self-aware often means knowing when successes or accomplishments result from luck or the help and support of others. People who choose well in life often appreciate the role that those around them play in helping them achieve their goals and are appropriately thankful for such help.
Self-Compassion
Sometimes, making a decision is difficult, stressful, and time-consuming, so treat yourself with kindness and understanding, acknowledge what you can’t change, and don’t berate yourself if the best path isn’t initially obvious. Being kind to oneself prevents poor decisions made out of stress, guilt, or self-criticism.
Mindfulness
For the biggest and most important choices in life, good decision-makers need mental clarity, inner equilibrium, and calm. Activities such as deep breathing and meditation can help them focus on the problem and avoid making impulsive or emotional choices, often the least wise route to take.
Adaptability
Life isn’t always predictable, and changing circumstances can significantly alter which choice will ultimately yield the best outcome. Being flexible is key, and smart choosers often show excellent problem-solving abilities in the face of change. They understand that life can be surprising and often have a fluid strategy with sensible contingency plans.
Celebrating Achievements
It’s not all work and no play! Making good decisions is its own reward, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take the time to enjoy your achievements and celebrate your successes, whether they be personal, financial, or professional. Congratulating yourself boosts self-confidence and reinforces positive choices, ensuring you consistently set and achieve goals.
Taking Initiative
The best decision-makers don’t sit idly by and let life pass them by. They are proactive and take initiative, taking control of a situation and steering it in the most beneficial direction with focus and determination. They know that sitting on the sidelines and hoping for the best outcome rarely yields success.
Practicing Forgiveness
Learning who you can trust and avoiding interactions with toxic people is important, but that doesn’t mean holding grudges or harboring excess resentment. Good decision-makers know that holding onto negative emotions can hinder personal growth and impact their mental clarity. Forgiving themselves and others, when deserved, is important for moving forward.
Seeking Support
There’s no shame in asking for help when needed, so smart deciders often have a strong support system of friends, family, colleagues, or mentors. They’re not afraid to admit when they need assistance and readily seek help when needed, understanding that collaboration is often essential to making the correct choice.
Maintaining Balance
No one makes good decisions when they’re stressed, unwell, exhausted, or emotionally drained, so taking care of your physical and mental health is very important. Smart choosers often balance professional, personal, and familial duties and make time for self-care and leisure activities. A happy, healthy mind is a capable mind!
Living Purposefully
The best decision-makers tend not to be aimless and unfocused. They often choose life paths in context, weighing them up against the ‘bigger picture’ and contemplating how each choice fulfills their purpose and long-term goals. This keeps them motivated and provides a sense of direction, ultimately leading to better decisions.
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